Graduate - Finance & Accounting

Merck & Co., Inc.; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A global biopharmaceutical leader is seeking an entry-level Finance/Accounting graduate to join their UK Finance team. This role involves supporting financial activities across divisions and managing compliance with accounting procedures. Candidates should be pursuing a relevant degree and have strong proficiency in Microsoft Office. The company offers mentorship towards achieving professional qualifications (CIMA or ACCA) and the chance to develop a rewarding career in finance.

Qualifications

• Studying towards a relevant degree, predicted or obtained in the last two years.
• Ability to work with large datasets and manage time effectively.

Responsibilities

• Support all divisions in accounting activities including month-end close.
• Work with the Risk and Assurance Team on compliance.
• Assist in the preparation of business result reports and financial forecasts.

Skills

Proficient with Microsoft Office

Effective communication

Attention to detail

Ability to work in a team

Education

Degree in Maths, Economics, or Business-related field

Job description

Overview

This role is based in our modern state-of-the-art co-working facilities in Moorgate, London. This site provides fantastic amenities, support services and collaborative workspaces with convenient transport links.

We are a global biopharmaceutical leader committed to enhancing the lives of individuals through a diverse portfolio of prescription medicines, oncology treatments, life-saving vaccines, and animal health products. Our unwavering dedication to delivering innovative solutions is the driving force behind everything we do.

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a position on the UK Finance team for an entry level Finance/Accounting graduate. This is an exciting role for someone with ambition to accelerate their career while completing their Accountancy qualifications. The role forms part of a UK Finance team with responsibility for Financial Planning, Accounting, Tax and Compliance. There are multiple entities within the scope of this team in addition to Human Health and Animal Health Commercial divisions.

Our Finance team brings together our financial perspectives into our overall strategic and tactical decision making. We use state-of-the-art techniques for financial analysis, planning, accounting, reporting and performance evaluation, enabling the organization to continue advancing medical innovation and improve lives.

The ask - > Bring energy, inquisitiveness, innovation and ambition to carry out the tasks in the following areas:

Where do you start...?

12 months in Accounting to Reporting (AtR) with additional responsibilities in Risk & Assurance / Compliance:

You will begin your journey in the Accounting to Reporting function of the Finance team. You will be supporting across all divisions (Human Health, Manufacturing Division and Animal Health) to support the quality, accuracy and timeliness of all in-market accounting activities (e.g., month-end close, inventory and cost accounting, accruals, balance sheet review, trade relations & contract management, etc.) for all reportable/legal entities. In addition to this you will work with the Risk and Assurance Team on corporate and local policy compliance and internal control frameworks.

Duties & responsibilities

• Liaise with Regional / Global Delivery teams and support transactional accounting activities (e.g., period-end adjustments, Purchase Order / invoice processing, cash application / collection, cash & investment accounting, intercompany, fixed assets, etc.), while ensuring compliance with all quality / control requirements
• Respond to inquiries from key business stakeholders (e.g., Finance Lead, Regional / Divisional Controller, etc.) regarding financial results and variances
• Working alongside our team to build awareness on the importance of a strong internal control environment for all reportable/legal entities
• Work alongside our team on internal and external audits and review any findings. Work with the team to provide recommendations for potential internal control impacts

What's next?

12 months in Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) with additional responsibilities in Tax

You will progress in year 2 with the Human Health Financial Planning & Analysis team where you will be supporting in the preparation of business result reports, financial forecasts and analyses to support the Corporate objectives. Alongside this you will be working closely with the local tax team to support the preparation and review of Direct and Indirect tax returns, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.

Duties & responsibilities

• Build an understanding of the UK Human Health commercial organisation
• Help ensure the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of the month-end close
• Monitor, track, and report business performance (sales and expenses) to facilitate decision making and business support
• Support in the building of the Financial forecast and submission to Regional Finance
• Sales and sales adjustment calculation and analysis
• Assist in maintaining an effective internal control environment and compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and corporate policies
• Work with the tax team to support the preparation and review of Direct and Indirect tax returns, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.

Skills/attributes We Look For

• Studying towards a degree (or equivalent qualification) in a Maths, Economics or Business-related discipline, either predicted or gained within the last two years.
• Proficient with all Microsoft productivity applications.
• Able to work effectively in a team environment and possess excellent communication skills.
• Able to work with both on-site face to face teams and remote teams.
• Have an attention to detail and ability to work with large datasets.
• Be organized and able to manage your time and priorities.

Behaviours We Look For

• Operates with a high level of integrity, transparency and accountability
• Comprehends and aligns with our organization's core values
• Aligns and fosters a culture of diversity and inclusivity
• Demonstrates initiative, proactivity and academic curiosity
• Encourages and boosts their colleagues through teamwork
• Demonstrates clear and effective communication
• Demonstrates a desire to learn and improve their performance through feedback

Other Information Relevant To Contract.

Throughout the contract you will receive guidance and mentoring towards achieving your accounting career goals. You will be expected, and supported, to undertake your professional Finance/Accounting Qualification (CIMA or ACCA) from when you join us, and to come up with a timeline to completion during the contract. Should permanent opportunities arise you will have the opportunity to apply for these and should you be successful continue your career journey.

Eligibility Criteria for Undergraduates:

We are looking for students based in the UK who complete their undergraduate degree between 2024 and 2026.

Important Note:

• We do not provide sponsorship for UK work visas during or after the graduate program.
• To be eligible for the 2-year program, you must have the right to work in the UK for its entire duration.

How to Apply (Please read):

Please complete the online application form by answering questions within the application and upload your CV and Cover Letter in a combined document in the 'resume/CV' section.

Our standard Future Talent recruitment process is: An online application, a virtual conversation and then a final assessment.

Next Steps:

In the event of your successful progression to the next stage, one of our future talent team will contact you within two - three weeks of the application closing date.

Start Date:

September 2026

Equal Opportunity Employer:

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another's thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

For more Information visit our Future Talent page!

#UKFT25

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status:

Project Temps (Fixed Term)

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Required Skills:

Accounting Applications, Accounting Applications, Balance Sheets, Budget Analysis, Business Financial Planning, Cash Application, Client Communication, Credit Management, Credit Models, Credit Risk Assessment, Debt Collections, External Financial Reporting, Finance, Financial Accounting Controls, Financial Forecasting, Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A), Fixed Assets, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Global Delivery, Internal Controls, Interpersonal Relationships, IS Audit, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Preparation of Financial Reports {+ 5 more}

Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:

10/7/2025

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.